Infographic titled “State Assembly Campaign Budget: $2,500” showing a grassroots campaign spending plan with categories for filing and compliance, print materials, digital presence, voter contact and field work, visibility and events, and contingency funds.

1. Filing & Compliance – $50 (In Maryland, the filing fee is $50.00 to run for State House or Senate)

ItemCost
Filing fee (or petition costs)$50 (In Maryland, the filing fee is $50.00 to run for State House or Senate)
Compliance software/reporting tools$100
Subtotal$250

Non-negotiable. This is the “keep you legal” money.

2. Print Materials – $850

ItemQuantityCost
Palm cards (4×6, color, glossy)2,500$350
Yard signs (1-color corrugated)50$350
Door hangers or mini flyers1,000$150
Subtotal$850

Focus on name ID, district name, and one core issue.

3. Digital Presence – $450

ItemCost
Campaign website (DIY/WordPress)$150
Domain + hosting$50
Social media graphics & branding$100
Boosted posts / geo-targeted ads$150
Subtotal$450

Spend ads only on posts with photos of YOU in the district.

4. Voter Contact & Field – $550

ItemCost
Voter file access (party or state system)$200
Walk lists/canvassing tools$100
Clipboards, pens, packets$50
Volunteer food & water$100
Gas & travel$100
Subtotal$550

Face-to-face beats mail every time at this level.

5. Visibility & Events – $250

ItemCost
Event table fees/fairs$100
Candidate banner/backdrop$100
Buttons/stickers$50
Subtotal$250

6. Contingency / Rapid Response – $150

ItemCost
Extra signs, reprints, emergencies$150
Subtotal$150

Total Campaign Budget

CategoryAmount
Filing & Compliance$250
Print Materials$850
Digital$450
Field$550
Visibility$250
Contingency$150
TOTAL$2,500

What This Budget Prioritizes

  • Name recognition
  • Door-to-door persuasion
  • Candidate visibility
  • Legal compliance
  • Grassroots credibility

What It Avoids

  • Consultants
  • Mailers (too expensive at this level)
  • TV or radio advertising
  • Vanity spending

CAMPAIGN PLAN

Goal: Win or overperform expectations in a low-cost, grassroots district race by maximizing visibility, credibility, and direct voter contact.

1. Campaign Objective & Strategy

Objective

  • Achieve strong name recognition among likely primary/general election voters
  • Personally contact as many voters as possible
  • Present the candidate as serious, credible, and accessible
  • Avoid debt and unnecessary spending

Core Strategy

  • Door-to-door field first
  • Simple, clean messaging
  • Candidate-centered communications
  • No consultants, no fluff

At this budget level, the candidate is the campaign.

2. Target Voters

Primary Targets

  • High-propensity voters (regular voters in past 2–3 cycles)
  • Party base voters
  • Neighborhood leaders and influencers
  • Voters who attend community events, fairs, or club meetings

Secondary Targets

  • Swing voters who respond to face-to-face contact
  • Unaffiliated voters in low-turnout precincts

3. Message Framework (Keep It Simple)

Core Message (One Sentence)

“Local resident, common-sense solutions, and fighting for our community.”

Supporting Points (Choose One or Two)

  • Cost of living / taxes
  • Public safety
  • Schools / parents’ rights
  • Infrastructure / quality of life
  • Accountability in government

Message Rules

  • One main issue only
  • District-focused language
  • No national politics unless unavoidable
  • Always include your name + office sought

4. Timeline & Execution Plan (8–10 Weeks)

Phase 1: Setup & Compliance (Week 1)

  • File paperwork
  • Set up compliance tracking
  • Secure domain and hosting
  • Create simple website (bio, issues, contact, donate)
  • Order print materials

Phase 2: Visibility Build (Weeks 2–4)

  • Distribute yard signs at supporters’ homes
  • Begin social media posting (2–3 times per week)
  • Attend local meetings, civic groups, and community events
  • Take photos of candidate in-district for digital use

Phase 3: Field & Persuasion (Weeks 3–7)

  • Door-knocking begins immediately once walk lists are ready
  • Focus on:
    • Introductions
    • Listening
    • Name recognition
  • Leave palm card at every door
  • Track voter reactions (support/undecided/leaning)

Phase 4: Visibility Push (Weeks 6–8)

  • Boost best-performing social media posts
  • Attend fairs, festivals, and high-traffic events
  • Deploy banner at events
  • Refresh signage in high-visibility locations

Phase 5: Get-Out-The-Vote Lite (Final 7–10 Days)

  • Re-knock strongest supporter doors
  • Post daily on social media
  • Personal text or call top supporters
  • Increase presence at polling locations (where allowed)

5. Budget Deployment Summary

CategoryAmountPurpose
Filing & Compliance$250Legal operation
Print Materials$850Name ID & persuasion
Digital Presence$450Credibility + reach
Field Operations$550Voter contact
Visibility & Events$250Public exposure
Contingency$150Flexibility
Total$2,500Fully funded campaign

6. Candidate Daily Expectations

Weekly Commitment

  • 8–12 hours minimum
  • 2–3 evenings per week door-knocking
  • One weekend canvass session

Candidate Must:

  • Knock doors personally
  • Attend community events
  • Be visible on social media
  • Answer emails and messages promptly

You cannot outsource authenticity.

7. What Success Looks Like at $2,500

  • Voters recognize your name
  • You outperform expectations
  • You establish credibility for future races
  • You build a donor and volunteer base
  • You gain party and community respect

Winning is possible  but overperforming is guaranteed if executed correctly.

8. What This Plan Avoids (By Design)

  • Paid consultants
  • Expensive mail pieces
  • TV or radio ads
  • Overdesigned branding
  • Data overload

Final Rule

At $2,500, proximity beats polish.
Shake hands, knock doors, show up everywhere, and keep it simple.

Scroll to Top